Native American Studies Center

Established in August of 2012, this comprehensive center for the study of South Carolina’s
Native American peoples, their histories, and their cultures offers visitors the opportunity
to view the single largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery in existence; study
primary and secondary texts on Native Americans in the Southeast; participate in educational
classes and programs; and observe archaeology, language, and folklore and oral history
labs.

Learn With Us

Since 2005, we've been developing curriculum and public programs that educate the
public about Native American art and culture, with an emphasis on the Catawba and
other Native communities in South Carolina. Students at USC Lancaster and visitors
to our Center can learn about art, American Indian literature and culture, Native
American archaeology, folklore, anthropology, and oral traditions. Plans are underway
to offer additional Native American literature courses, a course in Native American
language, and additional courses taught through Palmetto College.

Meet Our Supporters

The USCL Native American Studies Center has received support from the City of Lancaster,
USC Lancaster, the Educational Foundation of USC Lancaster, and Duke Energy. Programming
has been supported by grants from the SC Arts Commission, the Humanities Council SC,
the National Endowment for the Arts, the Offices of the USC Provost and Vice President
for Research, the SC Budget and Control Board, the Lancaster County Council of the
Arts, the SC Department of Archives and History, and the Charlotte Area Educational
Consortium.

Mission Statement

The mission of USC Lancaster Native American Studies is to promote the documentation,
preservation, appreciation, and study of Native American cultures and heritages. This
mission is aided by courses and curricula, research projects, archival resources,
exhibits, publications, and other public and educational programs and materials developed
by USCL faculty and staff. The Center works to dispel any stereotypes or existing
misconceptions regarding Native Americans, their cultures, life ways, and languages.